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Housing Vacancies and Homeownership (CPS/HVS)
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FAQs
1. What types of data are available?
Rental and homeowner vacancy rates and homeownership rates are available for the U.S., regions, States, and for the 75
largest Metropolitan Areas. The State and Metropolitan Area data are available annually, while national and regional data are
available quarterly. Homeownership rates are also tabulated by age of householder and by family status for the U.S. and regions.
In addition, estimates of the total housing inventory and percent distributions of vacant for-rent and for-sale-only units are
available for the U.S. and regions.
2. How many housing units are in a sample?
There are about 72,000 housing units both occupied and vacant contained in the Current Population Survey (CPS) Sample. Of
these units, about 61,200 are occupied and are eligible for interview each month. In addition to the 61,200, about 10,800
are visited, but found to be vacant or otherwise not interviewed each month. About half of the 10,800 units are vacant and
interviewed for the HVS. The HVS is a supplement of the CPS.
3. Are multi-family vacancy rates available nationally,
regionally, and by Metropolitan Area?
Multi-family vacancy rates are only available nationally from the HVS. Overall vacancy rates (which include single and multi-
family units) are available by region, state, and for the 75 largest MAs.
Multi-family vacancy rates, by region, are available every two years from the American Housing Survey (AHS - national). MA data
are also available for the 44 largest MAs from the AHS, each completed every four years on a rotating basis.
4. Are housing unit estimates available by region, State, and
Metropolitan Area?
Housing unit estimates are available for the U.S. and regions by type of vacant unit and tenure. Estimates are also available for the U.S. and regions by age of householder. However, we do not have estimates by State or by MA. Some MA housing unit estimates are available from the AHS. County level data or smaller are only available from the decennial censuses.
5. When are the quarterly data normally available?
The 4 quarterly press releases are issued during the last week of the month following the previous quarter. The detailed
tables previously shown in quarterly reports will normally be available on the day of the press release. The annual data will
be available after the fourth quarter press release is issued each year as soon as it can be compiled.
6. Where are all the foreclosures in the HVS report?
Foreclosures may be in any of the housing stock categories on Table 3 (Estimates of the Total Housing Inventory for the United States) of the press release. They could still be occupied by the owner, or still be occupied by the renter, making them "owner occupied" or "renter occupied", respectively.
They could also be vacant and available for sale or for rent. If the unit is classified as "vacant for sale only", it will be included in the "vacant for sale" category. If the unit is for rent or "for sale OR rent, " it will be included in the "vacant for rent" category.
Many foreclosures will be in the "vacant other" category, because they are neither for sale or for rent - they are still in the foreclosure process and tied up in legal proceedings, or being held off the market until the legal owner of the property decides what to do. In addition, it is possible the unit could be undergoing repair for future use. Also included in the "vacant other" category are units "for occasional use" and units "temporarily occupied by persons with usual residence elsewhere", both of which may contain foreclosures. Foreclosures could also be included in the seasonal category, depending on the specific situation.
In conclusion, foreclosed properties may appear in all of the housing unit categories, not just the "vacant for sale" category. However, please note that the formulas for calculating the rental and homeowner vacancy rates shown on pages 10 and 11 of the press release do not include "vacant other" or "seasonal" units in the calculation of the vacancy rates.
Contact Bob Callis or Linda Cavanaugh at (301)763-3199 or visit ask.census.gov for further information on the Housing Vacancy Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division
